This week, President William Ruto made a significant statement with his visit to the Northeastern region where he inspected and launched several development projects.
The visit, one-its-kind, highlighted his commitment to ensuring equal treatment for all regions.
The reopening of the Garissa passports office closed in 2014 was the highlight of his visit as it will see the people from the entire region enjoy services in close proximity.
Day one (Tuesday)
Ruto who was accompanied by his deputy Kithure Kindiki and several Cabinet Secretaries began his tour to Mandera by opening the Kenya Medical Training College (KMTC) campus.
Its opening, he said, will enhance the rollout of Universal Health Coverage (UHC) in the region by equipping healthcare practitioners with essential skills.
Additionally, Ruto launched the Mandera Technical Training Institute's Jitume ICT hub, a facility aimed at creating more job and online opportunities for the local youth.
He also reviewed the progress of the Mandera Water Supply and Sewerage Infrastructure Project, which, when completed, will serve over 12,000 households.
He wrapped the day by addressing residents at the Moi stadium and later in the evening held a meeting with county leaders to discuss key programs for the region.
The discussions focused on security and infrastructure development, which would enhance the county's education, healthcare, transportation, water, and sanitation systems.
He said his priority is Kenya’s transformation, ensuring that no region is left behind.
“We are working with leaders from across the political divide to ensure we build a united, indivisible, and prosperous nation that every citizen can take pride in.”
Day two (Wajir)
He began his visit by inspecting the Wajir Township affordable housing project, followed by the opening of the refurbished Wajir Museum and the Wajir County Blood Transfusion Centre.
He then commissioned the Wajir County Assembly and toured the County Aggregation and Industrial Park before launching the Last Mile Connectivity Project.
Ruto also visited the TARBAJ Teachers Training College and later launched a livestock vaccination and restocking campaign at Bula Burwaqo.
This initiative aims to support vulnerable households that lost their livestock during the drought and El Niño seasons in previous years.
The President reiterated the government’s commitment to investing in development projects across Northern Kenya to address historical marginalization and unlock the region’s potential.
“Our goal is to equitably transform every part of our country,” he stated.
At Orahey grounds, Ruto publicly signed and read out a Presidential Decree ending discriminatory practices in the region.
“Our fellow countrymen from Northern Kenya will no longer suffer the indignity of extra-vetting and ethnic profiling to acquire national identification documents,” he declared.
In the evening, the President held a meeting with regional leaders to discuss ongoing and upcoming development projects.
He emphasised that leaders have a responsibility to unite Kenyans and move away from divisive politics that hinder the nation’s transformation.
The discussions focused on key infrastructure projects and advancing Universal Health Coverage in the region.
Day three (Garissa)
Here, he inspected Garissa airstrip terminal building, launched the livestock vaccination drive at Soko Ng’ombe and laid the foundation stone for the 408-unit Garissa affordable housing project.
The upgrading of the airstrip to an international airport, he said, will facilitate trade and unlock the region’s huge economic potential.
A new runway will also be constructed at a cost of Sh700 million to be financed by the national government.
The terminal building is being constructed by the county.
He also inspected the Mother and Child Unit of the Garissa Level V Teaching and Referral Hospital.
At Garissa High School, he commissioned the Steam Cooking Carbon Asset Infrastructure.
The project being piloted by the Government at Garissa High School is part of a broader global effort to reduce the use of firewood in school cooking in favour of cleaner alternatives.
It will be rolled out in schools across the country. Ruto also launched of the construction of Tana River Bridge and approach roads which will cost Sh1.7 billion.
The project is aimed at ending the suffering the people of Garissa and Tana River counties have gone through whenever the old bridge flooded and cut them from the rest of the country.
During the official opening of the Garissa Immigration office, the president used the opportunity to issuse 3,000 title deeds to the residents marking the highest number since the independence.
In the evening, jsut like in the other counties, he engaged leaders and elders from Garissa where they exchanged views on a range of issues, including food security, affordable housing, and infrastructure development in the region.
“We must strengthen our bonds of nationhood through fair and equitable sharing of national resources without discriminating against any region. One Country. One People. One Mission!,” he stated.
Day four (Isiolo)
Ruto wound up his tour with a series of activities lined up.
He started by inspecting the 257-km Lamu-Ijara-Garissa Road which is part of the LAPSSET corridor project.
While at the county, he commissioned the tarmacking of Horn of Africa gateway development project: Isiolo–Kulamawe and Kulamawe–Modogashe roads, Garba Tula.
Ruto asso inspected the Isiolo export abattoir and the affordable housing project.
The construction of the 205-km road is part of a broader plan to connect Isiolo and Mandera, enhancing access and trade with Somalia and Ethiopia.
“Traversing Meru, Garissa, Isiolo, Wajir and Mandera Counties, the road will boost trade, drive economic growth and foster integration,” he said.
The head of state also laid the foundation stone for the Isiolo County Aggregation and Industrial Park and addressed residents of Isiolo Town.
The construction of County Aggregation and Industrial Parks across the country is set to provide farmers with access to cold storage, agro-processing, and value addition.
This initiative will minimise post-harvest losses, boost farmers’ earnings, and drive economic growth from the bottom up.
On Friday, he left for Tanzania for the EAC-SADC meeting on the DRC conflict.
